Apparatus for sueding cloth



G. M. CURTIN APPARATUS FOR SUEDING CLOTH Filed June '28, 19 39 Aug. 26, 1941.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

@EOIQGE/V. CURTIN ATTORNEY.

Aug. 26, 1941. G.M. CURTIN 2,253,558

' APPARATUS FOR surname CLOTH v Filed June 28, 1939 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. GEORGE M. CORT/N ATTORNEY;

Aug. 26, 1941. e. M'. CURTIN APPARATUS FOR SUEDING CLOTH 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 28. 1939 INVENTOR. 650/265 M CURT/N ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug.- 26, 1941 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE .ratus for sueding cloth in strips of unlimited length.

' Sueding of cloth involves the cutting or breaking of part of the strands comprising the threads of the cloth thus improving the feel and to some extent the appearance of the cloth. Hereiofore it-has been attempted to a pull a piece of cloth across the face of a number of abrasive rolls arranged in series but unsatisfactory results have been obtained due to the fact that the cutting or breaking of the strands of the threads of the cloth has occurred to an undesired degree, and

due to the fact that in pulling the cloth past the abrasive surfaces portions of the width of the cloth have been stretched out of proportion to other portions of the cloth and the edge porsueding.

In carrying out myinvntion I provide a 'simplified structure wherein a single abrasive drum may be employed, and the cloth positively adtions have been curled preventing satisfactory.

vanced by the abrasive drum in cooperation with a presser roller. Means are provided interposed between the cloth and abrasive surface to control the length of cloth in contact with the abrasive surface at any moment; auxiliary meansffor Referring first to Figure 5 the letter M indicates .a long strip of cloth which is being continuously sueded and folded in accordance with my invention. The strip of cloth may be of unlimited length. My invention also makes it possible to successfully suede strips of cloth of unusual width. Strips of cloth five feet in width have been very successfully treated in a machine embodying my invention and the invention is applicable to machines capable of sueding of even greater width. 1

The cloth to be sueded may be brought to the sueding machine upon a truck in a vertical colcloth umn of folds, or it may be woundon rolls supported so that the cloth may be readily unwound therefrom, or may be supplied in any other daired manner. It is led into contact with the surface of abrasive drum l l by being passed over pressure roller ii. These two drums are positively driven in opposite directions at diflerent speeds so that the cloth is positively engaged between the surfaces 'of the two drums and is .driven forward, and atthe same time one surface of the cloth is subjected to the cutting action ofthe surface of abradin drum Ill.

' The length of time that any portion of the cloth is in contact with the surface of abrading separating the cloth from the abrasive surface are provided, and means for folding the cloth are made adjustable in stroke and synchronous with the combined speeds of the abrasive and presser rolls, regardless of wear of either or both of them.

By my invention I have provided animproved method and means for sueding long strips of cloth making'possible higher speed production than heretofore obtained with resultant lower cost: whereby the quality of the sueded cloth may be greatly improved and a smoother finish obtained and whereby the. curling of the edges heretofore experienced is obviated making it possible to obtain satisfactory sueding of the full width of a strip of cloth.

The invention will best be understood if the following description is read in connection with the accompanyins' drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of one end (motor end) of the niachine; g

ur ne 2 is an elevation of the other end of theiiiiachine; I

Figure 8 is a front elevation;

Figure 4 is a rearelevation;

Figure 5 is a side view, partly in section, including the folding means and showing the course of .a strip of cloth through my device;

.Figure 6 is a sectional view through the folding device taken on line 6-4 of Figure 5; and Figure 7 is a detail view, partly broken away,

of the feed table over. which the material passes to the abrasive roll.

drum i0 is controlled by passing the cloth around a bar If, located below the point of contact of abrasive drum ll and pressure roller ii, and adjustable toward or away from the abrasive drum. By adjustment of the position of guide bar i2, and of the degree of pressure with which the cloth is pressed against the surface of the abrasive drum II- by the roller II, as will be explained, the extent to which the cloth is sueded may be carefully controlled and an improved sueded product obtained regardless of the thickness of the cloth being treated. As illustrated the sueded cloth, after leaving bar i2, passes under an idler II and is then looped over friction roller ll which is given a peripheral speed equal to that with which the cloth leaves abrasive drum il.' Means are provided, as will be 'explained, for adjusting the speed of roller H to accommodate for change in the speed given to the cloth by feed roller ii and abrasive drum l0, due to wear of said feed roller and drum.

From friction roll ll the cloth is advanced to a pivoted folding device which is synchronized with the speed of the cloth and directed between two idler bars ll extending between arms II with the result that the sueded cloth is folded in a vertical column of folds. which as indicated may :be piled on a truck II for convenience in handling.

The machine, referring first to Figures 1 to 4, comprises a base 20 on which are erected side frames 2i and II. which in turn are braced by transverse members "and 24. Mounted on the rearward portion of the upper surfaces of the side frames 2|-and 22 are bearing brackets 25 and 26 which journal the trunnions 21 and 28 of the abrasive drum I0.

Pressure roller II is mounted so as to be adjustable toward or away from abrasive drum I0, being, journaled in slideable pillow blocks 30 and 3| which are guided in recesses 32 and 33, provided for this purpose in the base of slideable pillow block supports 34 and 35. Rotatably connected to collars 36 and 31 of bearing blocks 30 and 3|, and journaled close to their opposite ends in the hub portions 45' of the handwheels 45, are the spindles 38 and 39 which have at their extreme forward ends the turn knobs 42. Screwed to the spindles 38 and 39 are collars 38', and around the spindles the compression springs 45" are provided extendingbetween the collars 38' and the shoulders of the hub portions 45' which are threaded in the upright portions 49 and 4| of the supports 34 and 35. By turning the handwheels 45 with their integral hub portions 45' the pillow blocks 39 and 3| may be moved toward, or away from, the abrasive drum I0, the interposed springs 45" acting as resilient means in case of unevenness in the material being sueded. The adjustment of the handwheel 45 is controlled by calibrations 43 provided on the exterior of hub 45, which is preferably marked off in divisions of one thousandth of an inch, which may be alined with the marker 44. By means of turn arms 42 the position of the collars 38' on spindles 38 and 39 may be varied thereby adjusting the tension of the springs 45".

The bearing block supports 34 and 35 have downwardly extended portions 46 which engage undercut flanges 41, machined in the forward portion of the upper surfaces of the. sideframes 2| and 22. Recesses 48 are provided in the bottom portion of supports 34 and 35 in which snugly engage the anti-friction rolls 49 of the bell crank 50. The latter, pivotably mounted on studs which protruded inwardly from both frames 2| and 22, are connected by arms 52 to the foot treadle brackets 53, keyed to rock shaft 55, between the forward ends 56 of which is supported rod 51, on which the foot treadle 59 is mounted by means of brackets 58.

Keyed also to the rocking shaft 55, which is journaled in bearings 60 of the side frames 2| and 22, are the rearwardly extending pair of arms 6| between which is suspended a transverse rod 62 on which counter weights 63 may be mounted. The counter weights 63, through arm 6|, turn buckle links 54 and toggle arms 52 and 59, pull the bearing block supports 34 and 35 rearwardly thus urging the presser roller toward the abrasive roller l0 until the stops 34 abut against the frame members 2| and '22.

In order to move the pressure roller away from abrasive roll H! the operator steps upon treadle 59 thus overcoming the pull exerted by counter weights 63.

Above the pressure roller II the pinch roller 64 is suspended by means of a pair of brackets 25 and 26. The height of the pinch-roller may be adjusted in accordance with the thickness of the material to be sueded by means of elevating screws 61 threadedly engaged in brackets 65 which bear against the banking surfaces 68 on the upper surface of the bearing brackets 25 and 26. Diagonally disposed lock screws 69 are threaded in stationary lugs 18 of the bearing brackets 25 and 26 and bear against the surface justed position.

1| thus securing the pinch roller '64 in its ad- The material to be treated is passed over an entrance table 12 supported by end brackets 13 adjustable vertically in stationary hubs 14. The upper surface of the table 12, illustrated in Figure '7, may be provided with ribs 15, inclined outwardly from the center of the table, which tend to open and smooth out the material just before it becomes engaged between presser roll II and pinch roll 64.

The control bar I2, is slideably mounted in slots 18 provided in the frame members 2| and 22, by means of brackets 16 having flanges 11. The slots are preferably curved so that the radii of each slot has its center in the axis of the abrasive drum l0. Graduations 19 on the outside of both slots 18 and locking nuts 19a assure perfect parallel alignment of the control bar l2.

, As illustrated the slots 18 permit bar |2 to be positioned so that any desired contact between the cloth and the abrasive drum l0, ranging from a point of contact to one in which the cloth engages 60 degrees of the surface of the abrasive drum, may be obtained. Of course longer slots may be provided if a greater length of contact is desired.

Suspended from two brackets a transversely extending tube 84, equipped with a plurality of equally spaced holes 83 is provided, which may be connected to a supply of compressed air through flexible hose 86. Tube 84 is positioned so that theblastof air therefrom will be directed between the under surface of the abrasive drum I0 and the finished surface of the material serving thereby both to clean the surface of the drum, and to separate the material from the drum if it should become engaged therewith beyond the point for which control bar I2 is adjusted. To attain a more efiective operation of this device, the perforated tube may be oscillated a distance equal to the distance between two adjacent holes 83, and accordingly brackets 85 are. supported by an'oscillating rod 81, which is. journalled in two dust-sealed bearings 88.

Fastened on both ends of the rod 81 and guided over idling sprockets 89a and 90a are link chains 89 and 90, the former being connected to the link 92, pivotally connected to the crank 93 of the speed reducing unit 94, and the latter being connected to counterweight 95 which serves to return the rod 81 to its end position whenever the position of the crank 93 permits it to do so. A cylindrical guard 96 is provided for suspended counterweight 95.

A speed reducer 94 is supported by the bracket 91, fastened to the frame 22. Supported also from the frame 22 is a bracket 98 on which are provided two bearings 99 and |00 between which the intermediate shaft H is suspended. The

- latter is driven by a variable speed pulley M2,

192a on shaft IN, and by a collar |0|a on the other side. The variable space between-the two halves of the pulley caused by the variations'in the width of groove I03, is taken up by a self adjusting spring, coiled in the inside of the two halves of the pulley I02. To the outer side of this adjustable pulley is fixed a male member I95 trolling and changing the size of the folds during the operation of the device, in addition to the advantages of the improved quality of the sueded cloth made possible by my invention.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for sueding a long length of cloth ing transversely across the path of travel of said length of cloth beyond the point of nearest approach between the drum and roller, and means for adjusting said member through an arc all points of which are equidistant from the axis of saiddrum.

2. Apparatus for sueding a long length of cloth comprising in combination an abrasive drum, a presser roller moveable toward or away from the abrasive drum, means for rotating said abrasive drum and said presser roller in opposite directions and at different speeds, adjustable means for guiding the cloth to control the length of cloth in contact with the abrasive drum at any one time, and means supplementary to said cloth guiding means for separating portions of the cloth adhering to the surface of the drum beyond the desired point of separation as indicated by said guide means.

3. Apparatus for sueding a long length of cloth which comprises an abrasive drum and a pressure roller cooperating therewith, means for directing a long length of cloth between said drum and roller, means for. actuating said drum and roller to cause the length of cloth to be continuously propelled thereby, guide means located beyond the point of engagement of the cloth between said drum and roller, and means for varying the position of the guide means through an are concentric with the axis of the abrasive drum where by the length of the contact between the cloth and the surface of the abrasived'rum may be controlled.

4. Apparatus for sueding cloth comprising in combination an abrading drum, a presser roller moveable toward or away from the abrading drum, means for engaging the cloth after it has passed between said drum and roller, and means for adjusting said engaging means to vary the contact between the cloth and drum from a line of contact to one in which the cloth engages 60 or more of the surface of the abrasive drum.

-5. Apparatus for sueding cloth comprising in combination an abrading drum, a presser roller moveable toward or away from the abrading drum, adjustable means for engaging the cloth after it has passed between said drum and roller and for varying the area of contact between the cloth and drum, and means independent of said cloth engaging means for separating portions of the cloth adhering to the surface of the abrasive drum beyond the point of separation indicated ing the cloth from the surface of the abrasive drum at a predetermined distance from the point of nearest approach between the said abrasive drum and presser roller.

'7. Apparatus for sueding cloth comprising in combination an abradent drum mounted on a fixed axis, a presser roller mounted on an axis moveable in the common plane of its axis and the axis of the abradent drum, a pinch roller mounted on an axis which is moveable substantially in a plane normal to the aforesaid plane, clamping means for clamping s'aid'pinch roller in adjusted position, cloth guiding means positioned on the side of a plane common to the axis of the abradent drum and feed roller opposite to the pinch roller, and means for adjusting the position of the guide means in a plane substantially parallel to the plane common to the axes of the abrading drum and feed roller.

8. Apparatus for sueding cloth comprising an abrading drum, a presser roller, and a pinch roller, means to rotate said abradent drum at a high peripheral velocity, means to rotate said presser roller in the opposite direction at a peripheral velocity slower than that of the abrading drum, means urging said presser roller toward said abrading drum, means mounting said pinch roller for free rotation comprising a pair of pivoted arms, journals in said arms, means to clamp said arms in adjusted position, a guide member extending parallel to the axes of said drum and rollers, and means for adjusting the position of said guide in a plan substantially parallel to the plane passing through the axes of the drum and the feed roller.

9. Apparatus for sueding cloth comprising in combination an abrading drum and presser roller, means for rotating said drum and roller in opposite directions at differential speeds, means located beyond the point of nearest approach between the drum and roller for separating the cloth from the surface of the abrasive drum, and means for directing a blast of air against the drum beyond the desired point of separation of the cloth from the surface of the abrasive drum.

10. Apparatus for sueding cloth comprisingin combination an abrasive drum, a presser roll moveable toward or away from the abrasive drum, means for rotating said drum and roller to engage a length of cloth on opposite sides and advance it continuously at a speed different from that of the abrasive drum; guide means located beyond the point of nearest approach between the drum and roller, a folder arm, pivotal mounting means therefor, a take-off roll positioned so as to lead the cloth around the guide means to said folder arm, a crank and crank disc connected to said folder, a drive shaft, means for interconnecting said shaft and said means for rotating the drum and roller, driven means interconnect-' ing the drive shaft and said crank disc, driven means interconnecting said drive shaft and said take off roll, clutch means between said drive shaft and said crank disc and said take-off roll respectively, and means connecting said clutch means with said presser roller whereby said clutch is open whenever the presser roller is moved out of operative relation to the abrasive drum and is closed whenever the presser roller is moved into operative relation to the abrasive drum.

GEORGE M. CURTIN. 

